The Federal Government has alleged that an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, is planning what it described as a campaign to discredit Nigeria during the planned state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom, following a dispute over revoked mineral licences.
According to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the company and its associates are allegedly preparing to circulate misleading claims about Nigeria’s mining sector in an attempt to undermine the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms and mislead the international community about the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral titles.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the ministry dismissed allegations that Nigeria had seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the claims as false and misleading.
Tomori said the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, stressing that Nigeria’s mining laws prohibit foreign companies from directly holding mineral titles.
He said the ministry had earlier responded to a publication alleging that Nigeria seized a British lithium project, describing the report as a collection of false claims intended to damage the country’s reputation.
According to the ministry, the controversy arose from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to an Australian national, Steve Davis, who is alleged to have interests in several mining entities operating in Nigeria.
The government explained that the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
Tomori stated that the mineral titles were withdrawn after Basin Mining Ltd defaulted on the payment of statutory annual service fees amounting to N2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The unpaid fees covered mineral titles identified as 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were revoked after the company was served due notice in line with existing mining regulations.
The ministry also rejected claims that the licences were subsequently reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as a fabrication intended to mislead the public and international observers.
According to the government, Davis allegedly holds interests in several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
Officials said such arrangements were often used by speculators who acquire mineral titles through multiple corporate entities without undertaking actual mining operations.
The ministry accused Davis of operating as a mining speculator who established multiple companies to acquire mineral licences while failing to develop the resources associated with those licences.
It said the government’s strict enforcement of regulations had exposed such practices, adding that the revocation of Basin Mining Ltd’s licences was carried out strictly in accordance with Nigeria’s mining laws.
According to the ministry, the activities of speculators have contributed significantly to the problem of dormant mining licences in Nigeria, where large mineral assets are held by companies that fail to carry out exploration or production activities.
Authorities also said such practices have historically slowed the growth of the mining sector and encouraged illegal mining operations across different parts of the country.
The ministry emphasized that the Federal Government is determined to end these practices as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the mining sector as a major driver of economic growth.
It noted that the reforms introduced by the current administration are designed to strengthen transparency, accountability and investor confidence within the sector.
Tomori said the government would not be intimidated or blackmailed into reversing reforms designed to improve governance in the mining industry.
He urged Nigerians and members of the international community to disregard what the ministry described as attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine the government’s reform agenda.
According to the ministry, Nigeria remains open to genuine investors who are willing to operate within the framework of the country’s mining laws and regulatory requirements.
Nigeria has in recent years intensified efforts to develop its vast solid mineral resources, including lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements, as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy away from its heavy dependence on crude oil exports.
As part of the reforms aimed at attracting responsible investment, the government has introduced several incentives, including tax waivers on imported mining equipment, provisions allowing the full repatriation of profits and regulatory improvements intended to enhance the ease of doing business in the mining sector.
These initiatives have begun attracting increasing international interest in Nigeria’s mineral resources, particularly lithium, which has become a critical component in the production of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage technologies.
However, authorities insist that all investors must comply strictly with Nigeria’s mining laws and financial obligations, warning that the government will continue to enforce regulations against companies that fail to meet their statutory responsibilities.
The ministry reiterated that the Federal Government remains committed to transforming the mining sector into a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
The dispute comes ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III.
During the visit, the Nigerian leader is expected to be hosted at Windsor Castle, where discussions will focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.
Officials say the visit will cover cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, security and migration.
It will mark the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the United Kingdom in 37 years, with previous visits by Nigerian leaders recorded in 1973, 1981 and 1989.
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